Chefs bringing Syria to your plate

by

Luke Keioskie

19 April 2018

To support UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children in Syria, Australia’s top chefs are coming together to create a special dinner at Three Blue Ducks Rosebery.

Hosted by UNICEF Australia Ambassador, Adam Liaw, the dinner, held on Monday 18 June, is part of a month-long, nationwide fundraising initiative, #CookForSyria, in aid of UNICEF Australia’s Syria Crisis Appeal for Children.

The chefs will put a Syrian stamp on one of their signature dishes, creating a memorable and fun family-style feast.

Palisa Anderson will serve up pork sausages with a Zoug inspired Nahm prik chilli relish, Kylie Kwong will bring back her crispy organic saltbush cakes with Syrian spices, and Josh and Julie Niland will turn eel on its head with a smoked eel moutabbal & beetroot jam donut.

Adam Liaw travelled to Jordan in February to meet Syrian children and their families living in Za’atari Refugee Camp,15 km from the Syrian border.

“The magnitude of what faces the displaced people of Syria has to be seen to be believed. Tents and temporary homes stretch as far as the eye can see, housing hundreds of thousands of people who have been through the unimaginable horrors of war,” Adam said.

“One of the things that gives the residents of the camps hope of one day returning to their old life is going through the everyday routine of normal living. Food is a huge part of that, and the camps are filled with shops that sell breads, sweets, shawarma, and groceries. UNICEF’s work in Jordan provides help and hope to Syrian refugees and funds raised as part of this campaign are vital for continuing this effort.”

The #CookForSyria campaign aims to encourage everyone from top chefs and restaurants, to people at home, to cook and raise money to help children affected by the conflict in Syria. The global movement has to date raised more than AUD $1 million and counting.

Throughout June, restaurateurs, chefs, bakers and café owners from around the country are also invited to take part in #CookForSyria by putting a Syrian inspired twist on one of their favourite signature dishes (or by creating a new dish) and donating $5 from each sale of the dish. Syrian cuisine is one of the oldest in the world and reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage with influences from the Middle East and beyond.